Secret-ballot and distributer box.



PATENTED JAN. 1, 1907.

G. L. MURDEN. SECRET BALLOT AND DISTRIBUTER BOX.

APPLIOATIONiILED MAY 11, 1906.

60 @iyfilflllidl ig INVENTOR- hm E/ W% W j A HORNE Y5 THE NORRIS PE 0., wasn mc-rou, u. c.

UNITED s rA-rns PA ENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. MURDEN, OF PERU, INDIANA.

SECRETFBALLOT AND DISTRIBUTER BOX.

To all whom it mayconcern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. MURDEN, a citizen of the-United States, residing at Peru, the county of Miami and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Secret-Ballot and Distributer Box, of which the followingis a specification.

The-present invention relates to a ballotbox designed primarily for use in secret societies for voting on applications for membership and other matters requiring secret balloting.

Ithas forits objects -to-improve and simplify devices of this character, so as to lessen the cost of manufacture, improve the operation, and expedite the matter of casting ballotsby enabling a number'ofvotes to be cast simultaneously with the utmost secrecy.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, and defined with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one of the embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of theballotbox. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse view taken centrally through the-box. Fig. 3 is a erspective view of the receptacle for receivmg the ballots thatarecast. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing thebraces of the framefor the receptacle shown in Fig; 3.

- Corresponding parts in the several figuresare indicated throughoutby similar characters of reference.

Referring to the drawings,- 1 represents a are ballot compartments-or pockets 3. These compartments are arranged on diametrical lines, and theyform stations at which four persons may vote'at one time. In order that one voter cannot see what character of ballot any of the other voters are voting, hoods or shields 3 arearranged over the-compartments, which extend outwardly from the inner ends thereof in" an upward direction,-

thereby permitting-the interiorof each compartment to be" observed only from directly Specificationof Letters Patent. Application filed May 11, 1906. Serial No. 316,313.

Patented J an. 1', 1907.

' infront of each. This ermitsthe individ-- 5 5 ual voter to see in onlyt at box or'compartment in which-he is voting.

Extending from each' compartment isachute, which collectively constitute' what is Y termed a conductor, whereby the ballots are conveyed to a removable receptacle 4 during the balloting. This conductor comprises a tube-or chute 5, extending from the .inner end of each .compartment in an-inwardly and downwardly inclined direction, 6;; where they unitewith a single chuteor tubeextending from the'oenter of the box to one side thereof and terminating over the center of the receptacle 4. The outer end of the chute 6 opens downwardly toward therecep- 7o tacle 4. The receiving ends of the tubes 5 are provided with a mouthpiece 7 extending and expanding inwardly into thecompart ments, so as to facilitate the dropping ofthe ballots into them. The laterallyinclined F tube or chute 6 is supported atits inner end" on the plate 8, carried on the inner ends-of" the'pockets or compartments.

To distribute the ballots, whichvlatterare suitably-colored balls such asare 'commonly' 8o employed, they are emptied from the'recep tacle 4, into which they have been deposited during the balloting, into what is termed a dis'tributer. This comprises a funnel-- shaped device 9, arranged in the top 2 of the box ina central position between the several compartments, and extending in a downwardly-inclined direction from the bottom of the funnel arefour chutes or tubularpassages 10, that terminateat the'lower ends in the front of the ballot-compartments. Located centrally between the'mouth or inletends of these four chutes is a cone 11, which facilitates the distributing of' the ballots more equally into the chutes and thence 1309 5 the ballot compartments. Arranged over the mouth of the funnel is a curved hood 12. The receptacle'4 is'supported in a frame 13, that is attached at its outer end to a side wall of the box and is suspended at its inner end by laterallyextending brackets 14 15, at tached to the bottoms of two diametrically opposite ballot-compartments. The frame 13 is a box-like structure in which the receptacle 4 is adapted to slide in and out, and guides 16 are provided on tl1eframe,whioh receive the flanges 17, arranged along the upper edgesof thereceptaole: The recep end of the chute 6 is disposed. The long edges of the slide are guided by the flanges 1.7. These flanges are formed bvthe metal sides of the receptacle, which extend outwardly, and then bent inwardly parallel to the outwardly-extending portion and suitably spaced apart from the latter, as shown at 22. The front end of the slide is provided with an upwardly-extending flange by which the slide may be gripped for removing it, and the rear end is provided with lugs 23, ex-

tending inwardly to serve as stops adapted to engage the front of the drawer, so as to pre-- vent the slide from being withdrawn entirely. The rear of the receptacle is provided with a converging mouth 24, which is controlled by the vertically disposed and horizontally-movable slide 26. Arranged normally below the opening in the lid is a buffer 27 or other suitable device, upon which the ballots are adapted to strike be-' fore dropping to the bottom of the receptacle. This device is covered with a suitable material for deadening the noise which the ballots striking upon the same would otherwiseproduce Extending from the inner surface of the side walls, at the rear ends of the latter, are deflector-plates 28, which guide the ballots into the converging mouth as the receptacle is being emptied. The receptacle, as well as the ballot compartments and passages of the conductor and distributer, is preferably lined with a suitable cushioning material, such as a suitable cloth, so as to deaden the noise which the movement of the ballots would produce. outer end of the receptacle is a grip-button or other device 29, whereby the receptacle can be withdrawn from the ballot-box. The to and bottom edges of the box are provided with a molding 30, which adds to the appearance of the device. If desired, however, the box may be ornamented to render the appearance thereof more leasing.

The construction illustrate ings represents a box entirely of sheet metal, such as tin, the joints of the parts being connected by soldering or otherwise. It is obvious, however, that the device can be constrpcted of wood or any other suitable materia When a ballot is desired to be taken, the ballot-box is placed in the center of the clubroom and the voters approach the same from four diametrically opposite directions in line with the ballot-pockets. The ballots, it will be understood, are permanently left in On the a in the draw- I the ballot compartments, and by reason of the downward and forward incline of the bottom of these compartments the ballots rest at the front ends, so as to be conveniently picked up. As the voters reach the ballot-box each picks up a ballot which he desires to cast and then inserts it into the tube of the conductor communicating with his compartment, without having to withdraw the ballot from the compartment and probably to reveal the character of the ballot he is voting. This is all done under the protection of the shield or hood arranged over each compartment, so that absolute secrecy is preserved. After the votes are cast the receptacle into which they have fallen is removed and the results of the balloting ascertained. By withdrawing the slide at the inner end the receptacle is opened and the ballots are discharged into the funnel of the distributer, and by means of the latter they are distributed'more or less equally to the several compartments, so that the ballot-box is ready for the casting of the second ballot, and so on.

I have described the principle of operation of the invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that various changes in form, proportion, and certain details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the claims without departing from the princi leof the invention or sacrificing any of the a vantages thereof.

What is claimed is- 1. A ballot-boxcomprising a plurality of diametrically-disposed ballot-compartments,

hoods arranged over the same which extend outwardly in opposite directions with respect to the same, and a receptacle adapted to receive the ballots cast from the several compartments.

2. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of radially-disposed compartments or the ballots, hoods extending outwardly over the compartments and providing access to the compartments 1n a radial, mward dlrection,

and means for receiving the ballots cast from the several compartments.

3. A ballot-box} comprising a lurality of radially-disposed com artments or the ballots to be cast, the oors of which incline downwardly in an outward direction from a inlets at "each-compartment and a common. outlet at thereceptacle.

5. A ballot-box comprising" aplurality of ballot-compartments, a common receptacle for receiving the ballots cast from" the compartments, and a conductor intermediate the compartments and the receptacle, said conductor comprising a vplura ity of passages terminating in a single passage leading to the receptacle.

6. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of ballot-compartments, a common receptacle for receiving the ballots cast from the compartments, and a conductor intermediate the compartments and the receptacle, said conductor comprising a plurality of downwardlyinclined passages communicating with the inner ends of the compartments, and a single passage leading from the lower ends of the saidpassages to the receptacle.

7. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of cushion-lined ballotcompartments, a cushion-lined receptacle, and a conductor intermediate the two for conveying the ballots to be cast from the compartments to the receptacle, said conductor comprising a plurality of cushion-lined passages, a cushion-lined conical member at the discharge end of the passages and provided with acentral o en ing, and a cushioned passage leading om the opening of the member through the receptacle.

8. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of ballot-compartments, and a distributer arranged to distribute theballots to the several compartments from a common point.

9. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of ballot-compartments, and a distributer arranged to distribute the ballots to the several compartments from a common point, said distributer comprising a receiving member and passages extending therefrom to the compartments.

10. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of radially-disposed ballotcompartments, and a distributer arranged to distribute the ballots to the several compartments froma common point, said distributer consisting of a receiving member arranged centrally between the compartments, and a passage between each compartment and said member.

11. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of radially-disposed ballotcompartments, and a distributer arranged to distribute the ballots to the several compartments from a common oint, said distributer consisting of a funnel-shaped member supported centrally with respect to the compartment, and tubes communicating with the chamber and the several compartments.

12. A ballot-box comprising a plurality of radially-disposed ballot-compartments, a receptacle for receiving the ballots voted, a plurality of members for conveying the ballots from the compartments 'to the receptacle,- and a distributerfor distributing the ballots to the compartments from the recep-- tacle, said distributer comprising a receiving are closely nested among the said conveying members.

13. A ballot-box comprising a frame, a'

plurality of ballot-compartments supported thereon, a receptacle arranged on the frame, a plurality of tubes extending from the compartments, a tube arranged between the latter tubes and the receptacle, and distributing-tubes leading to the compartments.

14. A ballot-box comprising a frame, a plurality of ballot-compartments supported thereon, a receptacle arranged on the frame, a plurality of tubes extending from the com.- partments, a tube arranged between the latter tubes and the receptacle, a funnel-shaped member carried by the frame and tubes extending from said member into the several compartments.

15. A ballot box comprising a plurality of radially-extending ballot-compartments, a system of tubes connected with the compartments and beginning centrally between the compartments and leading to a common point, a receptacle removably supported under the said point, said receptacle being provided with an opening for receiving the ballots, anda noise-deadening device supported in the receptacle and located under the opening for the ballots to strike upon when entering the rece tacle.

16. In a allot-box, a ballot-receiving re.

ceptacle comprising a box-shaped structure, a slide on the top thereof and removable therewith, a slide at. one end thereof, and a mouth controlled by the latter slide.

17. In a ballot-box, a receptacle comprising a rectangular box-shaped structure, a longitudinally-movable slide therefor provided with an opening for receiving the ballots that are cast, a slide mounted on the'end of the box through which the receptacle is emptied, and a mouth controlled by the latter slide.

18. In a ballot-box, a receptacle comprising a rectangular box-shaped structure, a longitudinally-movable sliding cover there for provided with an opening for receiving the ballots that are cast, a slide mounted on the end of the box through which the receptacle is emptied, a mouth controlled by the latter slide, and deflector-plates arranged in the receptacle for guiding the ballots into the mouth.

19. In aballot-box, a receptacle comprising a rectangular box-shaped structure, a longitudinally-movable sliding cover therefor provided with an opening for receiving the ballots that are cast, a device in said structure ITO arranged under the opening upon which the In testimony that I claim the foregoing as ballots strike on entering the receptacle, a my own I have hereto affixed my signature slide mounted on the end of the box through in the presence of two Witnesses. which the receptacle is emptied, a mouth GEORGE L MURDEN. controlled by the latter slide, and deflector- Witnesses: v

LEWIs W. EDWARDS,

plates arranged in the receptacle for guiding the ballots into the mouth. WILL. H. GUSTIN. 

